Hands up if you don’t tolerate bullies

HUNDREDS of Shoalhaven school students made a stand against bullying last week.

More than 1400 schools across Australia ran events on the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.

Shoalhaven schools took part on Friday running events, inviting guest speakers and exploring bullying and the role of bystanders.

Shoalhaven High School students spoke about bullying in class and student support officer Lisa Horgan organised a school event that invited students to show they won’t stand for bullying.

Principal Kem Rakiposki said it was a positive day for the students and staff.

“We put up Lisa’s mural and any student who wanted to show they don’t like bullying and would do something about it if they saw it added their hand print to the mural,” he said.

“We address bullying at every opportunity. We won’t tolerate bullying, as I’m sure all schools won’t.

“Bullying takes all forms and we teach our kids strategies to deal with it and to develop resilience.

“But if anyone ever needs support they only have to say so,” he said.

During the week Speaker of the Legislative Assembly South Coast MP Shelley Hancock addressed NSW Parliament on the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.

“This week we will acknowledge the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence,” she said.

“Fairly new in its conception, the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence was established in 2011 and is an initiative that aims to raise awareness of how young people, schools, parents and communities can make a stand against bullying and violence,” Mrs Hancock said.

“As a former school teacher I have seen firsthand the effects bullying can have on children, and with the rapid expansion of social media, roll-out of mobile phones and the ever increasing use of the internet, the scale of bullying, cyber bullying and internet trolling has reached unacceptable levels.”

“Enough is enough.

“As adults we have a responsibility to set an example for students and young people,” she said.

MAKE A STAND: Shoalhaven High School year 7 students Chloe Turner and Jordan Taunton surrounded by their friends Mikayla Reeves, Reece Christian, Jayden Wright, Jordan Francis, Cynthia Rebic, Olivia Woodlands, Dre James-Howlett, Guy Calderon and Jesse Biddle who place hands on a mural to show they will not accept bullying.